Vashti Forbes-Kelly, 74, retired Richmond schools secretary dies
Vashti Patricia Forbes-Kelly helped get things done with little recognition. Before she retired in 2000 after 31 years, principals at Armstrong High School and Franklin Military Academy counted on her as a school secretary to keep things humming. Students knew they could always come to her for help and teachers knew she could get them anything they needed.
Larry M. Walker Sr., retired teacher, coach succumbs at 66
Larry Maurice Walker Sr. combined two passions — history and sports — as a teacher and coach for Richmond Public Schools.
Personality: Lizbeth D’Surney Snead
Winner of National WIC Association Leadership Award
As coordinator of the Women, Infant and Children program for the Richmond City Health District, Lizbeth Snead wants to spread the word that WIC does more than provide supplemental foods to families. The federal program also provides grants to states for health care referrals and nutrition education for low- to moderate-income women.
Restoration rights process bogged down
Gov. Terry McAuliffe has been unable to keep his promise to swiftly restore felons’ voting rights on a case-by-case basis after the Virginia Supreme Court struck down his executive orders restoring voting rights en masse to more than 200,000 felons.
Chief: Crime up, but not out of control
There’s bad news and good news in Richmond’s crime story. First the bad news: Richmond is suffering its first spike in violent and property crimes after years of decline, according to Police Chief Alfred Durham.
New Richmond judge sworn in
With help from her brother, Christian, Mary Elizabeth Langer donned the black robe of a judge. She was formally installed last Friday as the newest judge on the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. She succeeds Judge Angela E. Roberts, who retired July 29 after 26 years on the bench.
Veterans and Families Resource Fair Saturday at McGuire
A job and community resource fair will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 12 for veterans and their families at the McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center on South Side.
Voting rights fight comes to Va.
National NAACP President Cornell William Brooks and Stephen Green, the civil rights organization’s youth director, were arrested Monday in the Roanoke office of Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte after a six-hour sit-in calling for the full restoration of the federal Voting Rights Act, the NAACP said.
Scathing DOJ report finds discriminatory, unconstitutional police practices in Baltimore
African-American residents in Baltimore are routinely subjected to unconstitutional stops, arrests and excessive force by the Baltimore Police Department, a scathing federal report released on Wednesday states. The 163-page U.S. Justice Department report details an investigation launched after the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray last year that found the Baltimore Police Department engages in a pattern of conduct that violates the Constitution and federal law.
Fight for $15
Workers to unite in city for living wage national conference
Richmond is about to become the national focal point for advocates of a $15 minimum wage. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of low-wage workers from across the country are expected to pour into the city April 12 and April 13 for the third annual Fight for $15 National Convention.
City electoral board recruiting 200 new election officers
In anticipation of the November elections, the Richmond Electoral Board is recruiting 200 people to increase the number of sworn officers of election at city polls.
Runoff election for mayor will require dollars
Richmond might need a runoff election for mayor if none of the eight candidates wins the Nov. 8 election outright. One problem: No money has been set aside to cover the projected cost.
Herring launches online program to help teens with police interactions
A new interactive program, “Give It, Get It: Trust and Respect between Teens and Law Enforcement,” is Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring’s latest initiative to help educate teens about their rights and responsibilities when interacting with law enforcement.
Judge Roberts will be missed
Re “After 26 years, Judge Roberts retiring from juvenile court,” July 21-23 edition: Congratulations to Judge Angela Edwards Roberts, who retired from Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court on July 29.
Restoration of felons’ rights is ‘a human rights issue’
Re “Virginia Supreme Court turns back clock on restoration of felons’ rights,” July 28-30 edition: I have a friend who is a felon and two others who are currently incarcerated but returning to society in five years and 20 years, respectively. I talk politics often with the friend who is back in society. Around election time, he always asks who I am voting for. I tell him, aware of the sad fact that he cannot vote.
A plan for urban recovery
As the general election season begins in earnest, the National Urban League has a message for the next president: Invest in America. When Europe found itself in physical and economic ruin after World War II, the United States invested $13 billion — $130 billion in today’s dollars — through the European Recovery Program, more commonly known as the Marshall Plan, after Secretary of State George Marshall.
Dump Trump
Every four years, the pinnacle of American democracy is reached with the presidential election. That’s when every eligible voter age 18 and older, from every town, city and hamlet across the nation, can listen to the candidates, examine their differing positions, go to the polls and cast his or her ballot for the next U.S. president. It’s a significant time for our nation, and for the world, because of the pivotal role of our country — and our nation’s leader — in all manner of global affairs, from humanitarian assistance and trade deals, to war and peace and the deployment of troops.
Monticello to host summit on slavery and freedom in America
Historians, descendants of Monticello slaves, cultural leaders and activists will discuss the history of slavery and its meaning today on race, freedom, and equality during a public summit Sept. 17 at Monticello, the Charlottesville home of President Thomas Jefferson.
‘She is a 0, but I’m a 10’
Who wore it best? Rep. Beatty trumps Melania
As soon as Ohio Congresswoman Joyce Beatty stepped off the stage following her July 28 address at the Democratic National Convention, Twitter blew up.
Edloe recognized with national award
Retired Richmond pharmacist Leonard L. Edloe has again been recognized for his work in the field. Dr. Edloe received the Chauncey I. Cooper Award from the National Pharmaceutical Association at the organization’s 69th annual convention in Atlanta last weekend for his distinguished service to the field.
